MPEP § 409.05 — Application For Patent by an Assignee, Obligated Assignee, or a Person Who Otherwise Shows Sufficient Proprietary Interest – Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012 (Annotated Rules)

§409.05 Application For Patent by an Assignee, Obligated Assignee, or a Person Who Otherwise Shows Sufficient Proprietary Interest – Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012

USPTO MPEP version: BlueIron's Update: 2025-12-31

This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 409.05, including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.

Application For Patent by an Assignee, Obligated Assignee, or a Person Who Otherwise Shows Sufficient Proprietary Interest – Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012

This section addresses Application For Patent by an Assignee, Obligated Assignee, or a Person Who Otherwise Shows Sufficient Proprietary Interest – Application Filed On or After September 16, 2012. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 111, 35 U.S.C. 1.76, and 35 U.S.C. 1.76(b)(7). Contains: 1 requirement, 1 prohibition, 4 guidance statements, 2 permissions, and 1 other statement.

Key Rules

Topic

PTAB Jurisdiction

3 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-409-05-8041343457070996b6dc2dc5]
Assignee or Obligated Assignee Can File Patent Application
Note:
An assignee or obligated assignee may file a patent application as the applicant, provided they record ownership evidence and are the sole applicant for all named inventors' interests.

An assignee or obligated assignee may file a patent application as the applicant. An assignee or obligated assignee doing so should record documentary evidence of ownership (e.g., assignment for an assignee, employment agreement for an obligated assignee) as provided for in 37 CFR part 3 no later than the date the issue fee is paid in the application. See 37 CFR 1.46(b)(1). In order to be the sole applicant, the party must be the assignee or obligated assignee of all named inventors’ interest. Because all parties having any portion of ownership in a patent property must act together as a composite entity in patent matters before the Office, a partial assignee (e.g., a party who owns 50% of the interest) cannot on its own file a patent application as the applicant. See MPEP § 301.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46(b)(1)PTAB JurisdictionIssue FeesSettlement of Contested Case
StatutoryProhibitedAlways
[mpep-409-05-35a7f935955b863a281fd968]
Partial Assignee Cannot File Patent Application Alone
Note:
A partial assignee, owning a portion of a patent property, cannot file a patent application independently; all parties must act together.

An assignee or obligated assignee may file a patent application as the applicant. An assignee or obligated assignee doing so should record documentary evidence of ownership (e.g., assignment for an assignee, employment agreement for an obligated assignee) as provided for in 37 CFR part 3 no later than the date the issue fee is paid in the application. See 37 CFR 1.46(b)(1). In order to be the sole applicant, the party must be the assignee or obligated assignee of all named inventors’ interest. Because all parties having any portion of ownership in a patent property must act together as a composite entity in patent matters before the Office, a partial assignee (e.g., a party who owns 50% of the interest) cannot on its own file a patent application as the applicant. See MPEP § 301.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46(b)(1)PTAB JurisdictionPTAB Contested Case ProceduresIssue Fees
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-409-05-54f3b9cedee24a80f444d3ae]
Legal Memorandum Must Be Prepared by Attorney Familiar With Jurisdiction
Note:
A legal memorandum supporting a claim of proprietary interest must be prepared and signed by an attorney familiar with the relevant jurisdiction's laws.

A proprietary interest obtained other than by assignment or agreement to assign may be demonstrated by an appropriate legal memorandum to the effect that a court of competent jurisdiction (federal, state, or foreign) would by the weight of authority in that jurisdiction award title of the invention to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant. The facts in support of any conclusion that a court would award title to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant should be made of record by way of an affidavit or declaration of the person having firsthand knowledge of same. The legal memorandum should be prepared and signed by an attorney at law familiar with the law of the jurisdiction involved. A copy (in the English language) of a statute (if other than the United States statute) or a court decision (if other than a reported decision of a federal court or a decision reported in the United States Patents Quarterly) relied on to demonstrate a proprietary interest should be made of record.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46PTAB JurisdictionPTAB Contested Case ProceduresSignature Requirements
Topic

International Design Application Fees

2 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-409-05-aaf8dfaa9156016f1c647407]
Documentation of Ownership Required for Assignee or Obligated Person
Note:
If the applicant is an assignee or a person to whom the inventor is obligated to assign, documentary evidence of ownership must be recorded no later than issue fee payment.

(b) If an application under 35 U.S.C. 111 is made by a person other than the inventor under paragraph (a) of this section, the application must contain an application data sheet under § 1.76 specifying in the applicant information section (§ 1.76(b)(7)) the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter. If an application entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, or a nonprovisional international design application, is applied for by a person other than the inventor under paragraph (a) of this section, the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter must have been identified as the applicant for the United States in the international stage of the international application or as the applicant in the publication of the international registration under Hague Agreement Article 10(3). (1) If the applicant is the assignee or a person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, documentary evidence of ownership (e.g., assignment for an assignee, employment agreement for a person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention) should be recorded as provided for in part 3 of this chapter no later than the date the issue fee is paid in the application.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46International Design Application FeesApplicant RequirementsInventorship for International Designs
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-409-05-f2a4b9068c33cc1b278e2fea]
Petition Including Fee Required for Non-Inventor Applicants
Note:
If a non-inventor files an application, they must submit a petition including the fee specified in §1.17(g) if they have sufficient proprietary interest.

(b) If an application under 35 U.S.C. 111 is made by a person other than the inventor under paragraph (a) of this section, the application must contain an application data sheet under § 1.76 specifying in the applicant information section (§ 1.76(b)(7)) the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter. If an application entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, or a nonprovisional international design application, is applied for by a person other than the inventor under paragraph (a) of this section, the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter must have been identified as the applicant for the United States in the international stage of the international application or as the applicant in the publication of the international registration under Hague Agreement Article 10(3).
(2) If the applicant is a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter, such applicant must submit a petition including (i) The fee set forth in § 1.17(g)

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46International Design Application FeesNational Stage Entry RequirementsProcessing Fees
Topic

Substitute Signature

2 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-409-05-6566b40a4f3e57299f14e1a2]
Requirements for Substitute Statement in Lieu of Oath or Declaration
Note:
A substitute statement must comply with specific requirements, including identifying the inventor, stating facts on information and belief, identifying the person executing it, and detailing circumstances permitting its execution.
(b) A substitute statement under this section must:
  • (1) Comply with the requirements of § 1.63(a), identifying the inventor or joint inventor with respect to whom a substitute statement in lieu of an oath or declaration is executed, and stating upon information and belief the facts which such inventor is required to state;
  • (2) Identify the person executing the substitute statement and the relationship of such person to the inventor or joint inventor with respect to whom the substitute statement is executed, and unless such information is supplied in an application data sheet in accordance with § 1.76, the residence and mailing address of the person signing the substitute statement;
  • (3) Identify the circumstances permitting the person to execute the substitute statement in lieu of an oath or declaration under § 1.63, namely whether the inventor is deceased, is under a legal incapacity, cannot be found or reached after a diligent effort was made, or has refused to execute the oath or declaration under § 1.63; and
  • (4) Unless the following information is supplied in an application data sheet in accordance with § 1.76, also identify:
    • (i) Each inventor by his or her legal name; and
    • (ii) The last known mailing address where the inventor customarily receives mail, and last known residence, if an inventor lives at a location which is different from where the inventor customarily receives mail, for each inventor who is not deceased or under a legal incapacity.
Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.64Substitute SignatureInventor Signature RequirementsInventor Oath/Declaration Signature
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-409-05-4614d57fca9d53088ec94b56]
Copy of Statute or Court Decision Required for Proprietary Interest
Note:
A copy in English of a statute or court decision, not from the U.S., must be made of record to demonstrate a proprietary interest.

A proprietary interest obtained other than by assignment or agreement to assign may be demonstrated by an appropriate legal memorandum to the effect that a court of competent jurisdiction (federal, state, or foreign) would by the weight of authority in that jurisdiction award title of the invention to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant. The facts in support of any conclusion that a court would award title to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant should be made of record by way of an affidavit or declaration of the person having firsthand knowledge of same. The legal memorandum should be prepared and signed by an attorney at law familiar with the law of the jurisdiction involved. A copy (in the English language) of a statute (if other than the United States statute) or a court decision (if other than a reported decision of a federal court or a decision reported in the United States Patents Quarterly) relied on to demonstrate a proprietary interest should be made of record.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46Substitute SignatureInventor Signature RequirementsAssignee as Applicant Signature
Topic

Assignee as Applicant Signature

2 rules
StatutoryPermittedAlways
[mpep-409-05-dc995a14d907cb2b9603f641]
Proprietary Interest Must Be Demonstrated by Legal Memorandum
Note:
A proprietary interest not obtained through assignment must be shown by a legal memorandum stating that a court would award the invention to the applicant.

A proprietary interest obtained other than by assignment or agreement to assign may be demonstrated by an appropriate legal memorandum to the effect that a court of competent jurisdiction (federal, state, or foreign) would by the weight of authority in that jurisdiction award title of the invention to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant. The facts in support of any conclusion that a court would award title to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant should be made of record by way of an affidavit or declaration of the person having firsthand knowledge of same. The legal memorandum should be prepared and signed by an attorney at law familiar with the law of the jurisdiction involved. A copy (in the English language) of a statute (if other than the United States statute) or a court decision (if other than a reported decision of a federal court or a decision reported in the United States Patents Quarterly) relied on to demonstrate a proprietary interest should be made of record.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46Assignee as Applicant SignaturePTAB JurisdictionSettlement of Contested Case
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-409-05-2439dc8e4ce204948ab4ffae]
Facts Supporting Title Award Must Be Recorded by Affidavit
Note:
The facts supporting a court awarding title to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant must be recorded through an affidavit or declaration from someone with firsthand knowledge.

A proprietary interest obtained other than by assignment or agreement to assign may be demonstrated by an appropriate legal memorandum to the effect that a court of competent jurisdiction (federal, state, or foreign) would by the weight of authority in that jurisdiction award title of the invention to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant. The facts in support of any conclusion that a court would award title to the 37 CFR 1.46 applicant should be made of record by way of an affidavit or declaration of the person having firsthand knowledge of same. The legal memorandum should be prepared and signed by an attorney at law familiar with the law of the jurisdiction involved. A copy (in the English language) of a statute (if other than the United States statute) or a court decision (if other than a reported decision of a federal court or a decision reported in the United States Patents Quarterly) relied on to demonstrate a proprietary interest should be made of record.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46Assignee as Applicant SignatureAssignee/Applicant SignatureInventor Signature Requirements
Topic

Applicant Eligibility

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-409-05-2d6e6ddfdacbaed14d7523f1]
Applicant Information Must Be Specified
Note:
If an application is made by someone other than the inventor, it must include a data sheet specifying the assignee or person with proprietary interest.
(b) If an application under 35 U.S.C. 111 is made by a person other than the inventor under paragraph (a) of this section, the application must contain an application data sheet under § 1.76 specifying in the applicant information section (§ 1.76(b)(7)) the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter. If an application entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, or a nonprovisional international design application, is applied for by a person other than the inventor under paragraph (a) of this section, the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter must have been identified as the applicant for the United States in the international stage of the international application or as the applicant in the publication of the international registration under Hague Agreement Article 10(3).
  • (1) If the applicant is the assignee or a person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, documentary evidence of ownership (e.g., assignment for an assignee, employment agreement for a person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention) should be recorded as provided for in part 3 of this chapter no later than the date the issue fee is paid in the application.
  • (2) If the applicant is a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter, such applicant must submit a petition including:
    • (i) The fee set forth in § 1.17(g)
    • (ii) A showing that such person has sufficient proprietary interest in the matter; and
    • (iii) A statement that making the application for patent by a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter on behalf of and as agent for the inventor is appropriate to preserve the rights of the parties.
Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46Applicant EligibilityHague DefinitionsDesignation of United States
Topic

Inventorship for International Designs

1 rules
StatutoryInformativeAlways
[mpep-409-05-f52826ae9fce5562aa4b1e56]
Petition by Proprietary Interest Holder Required
Note:
A petition must be submitted if an application is made by a person who shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter on behalf of and as agent for the inventor.

(b) If an application under 35 U.S.C. 111 is made by a person other than the inventor under paragraph (a) of this section, the application must contain an application data sheet under § 1.76 specifying in the applicant information section (§ 1.76(b)(7)) the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter. If an application entering the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371, or a nonprovisional international design application, is applied for by a person other than the inventor under paragraph (a) of this section, the assignee, person to whom the inventor is under an obligation to assign the invention, or person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter must have been identified as the applicant for the United States in the international stage of the international application or as the applicant in the publication of the international registration under Hague Agreement Article 10(3).
(2) If the applicant is a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter, such applicant must submit a petition including:

(iii) A statement that making the application for patent by a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter on behalf of and as agent for the inventor is appropriate to preserve the rights of the parties.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46Inventorship for International DesignsOath/Declaration in National StageInternational Design Application Requirements
Topic

Issue Fees

1 rules
StatutoryRecommendedAlways
[mpep-409-05-400d8b07ac861acc70600566]
Ownership Evidence Required Before Issue Fee Payment
Note:
An assignee or obligated assignee must record documentary evidence of ownership before paying the issue fee.

An assignee or obligated assignee may file a patent application as the applicant. An assignee or obligated assignee doing so should record documentary evidence of ownership (e.g., assignment for an assignee, employment agreement for an obligated assignee) as provided for in 37 CFR part 3 no later than the date the issue fee is paid in the application. See 37 CFR 1.46(b)(1). In order to be the sole applicant, the party must be the assignee or obligated assignee of all named inventors’ interest. Because all parties having any portion of ownership in a patent property must act together as a composite entity in patent matters before the Office, a partial assignee (e.g., a party who owns 50% of the interest) cannot on its own file a patent application as the applicant. See MPEP § 301.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46(b)(1)Issue FeesSettlement of Contested CaseFee Requirements
Topic

PTAB Contested Case Procedures

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-409-05-194286e44272600c8d5d6eb4]
Assignee Must Be Named Inventors' Interest Holder
Note:
The party filing a patent application as the sole applicant must be the assignee or obligated assignee of all named inventors’ interests.

An assignee or obligated assignee may file a patent application as the applicant. An assignee or obligated assignee doing so should record documentary evidence of ownership (e.g., assignment for an assignee, employment agreement for an obligated assignee) as provided for in 37 CFR part 3 no later than the date the issue fee is paid in the application. See 37 CFR 1.46(b)(1). In order to be the sole applicant, the party must be the assignee or obligated assignee of all named inventors’ interest. Because all parties having any portion of ownership in a patent property must act together as a composite entity in patent matters before the Office, a partial assignee (e.g., a party who owns 50% of the interest) cannot on its own file a patent application as the applicant. See MPEP § 301.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.46(b)(1)PTAB Contested Case ProceduresIssue FeesPTAB Jurisdiction
Topic

Processing Fees

1 rules
StatutoryRequiredAlways
[mpep-409-05-c736712c58f5473525fb5749]
Petition for Patent Application by Person with Sufficient Proprietary Interest Must Include Fee and Statements
Note:
A person showing sufficient proprietary interest in a patent application must submit a petition including the fee set forth, proof of interest, and an appropriate statement to preserve rights.

Section 1.46(b)(2) provides that if the applicant is a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter, such applicant must submit a petition including: (1) The fee set forth in § 1.17(g); (2) a showing that such person has sufficient proprietary interest in the matter; and (3) a statement that making the application for patent by a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest on behalf of and as agent for the inventor is appropriate to preserve the rights of the parties. See 37 CFR 1.64 concerning the execution of a substitute statement by a person who otherwise shows sufficient proprietary interest in the matter in lieu of an inventor’s oath or declaration. See also MPEP § 604.

Jump to MPEP Source · 37 CFR 1.17(g)Processing FeesFee Requirements

Citations

Primary topicCitation
Applicant Eligibility
International Design Application Fees
Inventorship for International Designs
35 U.S.C. § 111
Applicant Eligibility
International Design Application Fees
Inventorship for International Designs
35 U.S.C. § 371
Applicant Eligibility
International Design Application Fees
Processing Fees
37 CFR § 1.17(g)
37 CFR § 1.43
Assignee as Applicant Signature
PTAB Jurisdiction
Substitute Signature
37 CFR § 1.46
37 CFR § 1.46(a)
Issue Fees
PTAB Contested Case Procedures
PTAB Jurisdiction
37 CFR § 1.46(b)(1)
Substitute Signature37 CFR § 1.63
Substitute Signature37 CFR § 1.63(a)
Processing Fees37 CFR § 1.64
Applicant Eligibility
International Design Application Fees
Inventorship for International Designs
Substitute Signature
37 CFR § 1.76
Applicant Eligibility
International Design Application Fees
Inventorship for International Designs
37 CFR § 1.76(b)(7)
Issue Fees
PTAB Contested Case Procedures
PTAB Jurisdiction
MPEP § 301
Processing FeesMPEP § 604

Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP

This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.

BlueIron Last Updated: 2025-12-31